ChaptersChapter 15Page 2,238

Chapter 15: Seclusion

1941Page 2,238 of 5,444
Walu, too, could not swim, and would only wade into the water. Baba would accompany the women to the beach early in the morning and sit watching them for an hour. In the afternoons, he would sit in seclusion in a room for a couple of hours, doing his inner work. In the evenings, he would go for a walk with the women.
Baba would remain on the sands encouraging the swimmers. "It was a delightful sight," Age remembered. "A wonderful time of great enjoyment. A sweet melody of divine music permeated the air and made the swimmers feel that they were swimming in a shoreless Ocean! Of course they were constant companions of the Ocean; but when the waves rise up, one's life derives wondrous joy, ultimately leading to real Joy, which has no limit. Playing a part in the divine game — and enduring the pain of the arrows of the Beloved's humor — was opening the floodgates of inner joy, transforming the drops' radiant happiness into unending bliss!
Baba stayed in Karwar for a week. Chanji arrived there on 1 November. While he was there, the local Collector requested an interview by letter. Nilu responded that the Collector would be permitted to have Baba's darshan from a distance, but no interview. The man came in his car on the evening of the 3rd. By mistake, he drove to the mandali's bungalow first and parked there. After he saw Baba, a locket and photo were given to him, along with Baba's blessings, which he deeply appreciated.
When the man returned to his parked car, it was found that the battery was dead. Baba sent a special message indicating that this had happened for a purpose. When one approached a Master for darshan, Baba explained, it was beneficial to come on foot rather than by car. Therefore, the man should walk rather than drive back to his residence. The Collector took it in stride and did as Baba indicated. The man offered his car and large bungalow to Baba, where he said Baba and his group would be more comfortable, but Baba declined the offer.
On 8 November 1941, Baba and the group left for Belgaum by car and the Blue Bus. In Belgaum, he stayed in the bungalow of the Maharani of Savantwadi, in the suburb of Hindalga. By agreeing to stay in her bungalow, Baba remarked, he was giving her the opportunity of seva during the period of his seclusion.
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